Former India captain Rohit Sharma — the man who famously lifted the Men’s T20 World Cup trophy in 2024 — has been officially appointed as the tournament ambassador for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The upcoming edition will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, and the announcement marks a fitting next chapter in the career of a player who has left an unforgettable mark on the shortest format of the game.
Rohit’s T20I career stands among the finest in history. He concluded his journey in the format with 4,231 runs at an average of 32.01 and an impressive strike rate of nearly 141. Over nine editions of the T20 World Cup, he built a legacy rooted in longevity, leadership, and big-stage performances.
A two-time @t20worldcup champion, a record-setter across T20 World Cups and now the tournament ambassador for ICC Men's #T20WorldCup 2026 🤩
— ICC (@ICC) November 25, 2025
The one and only 𝑯𝑰𝑻𝑴𝑨𝑵 Rohit Sharma 😎 pic.twitter.com/iAoBJKoAC0
From a promising 20-year-old in 2007 to the experienced captain who guided India to a long-awaited global title in 2024, Rohit Sharma’s story is deeply interwoven with the evolution of T20 cricket.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah Announces the Appointment
Announcing Rohit Sharma as the ambassador for the 2026 edition, ICC chairman Jay Shah shared on Instagram:
“It’s my honour to announce that @ImRo45 is the tournament ambassador for the upcoming @T20WorldCup in India & Sri Lanka. There can be no better representative for the event than the winning captain of the 2024 T20 World Cup, and a player who has been in all nine editions so far.”
A Journey That Began With the 2007 World Cup
Rohit’s first defining world-stage moment came in the inaugural 2007 T20 World Cup. In that tournament, he showcased remarkable calm, scoring 88 runs without being dismissed. His crucial 30* in the nail-biting final against Pakistan and a composed unbeaten 50 against South Africa in the Super Eights demonstrated the grit and maturity that would eventually come to define his career. That early spark was a glimpse of a future star in the making, as India lifted the trophy.
The 2024 Triumph: A Leader Seeking Redemption
Seventeen years later, Rohit returned to the T20 World Cup as captain, leading a side determined to end India’s decade-long ICC title drought. He delivered consistently, scoring 257 runs at a strike rate of 156.70 — often giving India explosive starts during the PowerPlay overs.
His blistering 92 off 41 balls against Australia in the Super Eights became one of the defining knocks of the tournament. A composed half-century in the semi-final against England helped India advance to the final, ultimately culminating in a triumphant campaign that ended India’s long wait for another ICC crown.
After securing the title, Rohit retired from T20Is on the highest possible note, leaving behind both a void and a monumental legacy.
Rohit Sharma Reacts to His New Role
Speaking about his appointment as the tournament ambassador, Rohit said:
“It is great to have the tournament back in India and for me to be associated once again with the tournament, this time in a new capacity as the Brand Ambassador. I wish all the players the very best and hope they have a memorable time and enjoy India’s hospitality while taking back a lot of memories.”
The 2026 edition will not only celebrate global cricket but also honour one of India’s most impactful white-ball leaders, now returning to the tournament that helped shape his career.